Dynamic gene expressions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a preliminary study

INTRODUCTION: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a serious event that is responsible for the progress of the disease, increases in medical costs and high mortality. METHODS: The aim of the present study was to identify AECOPD-specific biomarkers by evaluating the dynamic gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with AECOPD on days 1, 3 and 10 after hospital admission and to compare the derived data with data from healthy controls or patients with stable COPD. RESULTS: We found that 14 genes were co–differentially upregulated and 2 downregulated greater than 10-fold in patients with COPD or AECOPD compared with the healthy individuals. Eight co–differentially upregulated genes and six downregulated genes were identified as a panel of AECOPD-specific genes. Downregulation of TCF7 in PBMCs was found to be associated with the severity of COPD. Dynamic changes of Aminolevulinate-delta-synthase 2 and carbonic anhydrase I had similar patterns of Digital Evaluation Score System scores and may serve as potential genes of interest during the course of AECOPD. CONCLUSION: Thus, our findings indicate a panel of altered gene expression patterns in PBMCs that can be used as AECOPD-specific dynamic biomarkers to monitor the course of AECOPD. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-014-0508-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.